Got new Boost,Pyro,and Trans. Temp. guages and wonder how to go about installing the sending units for these guys? Can anyone tell me how they went about this or where to look for info. The instructions w/ guages are not very clear. This is on a 2002 Ram 2500. Thanks all

 

The pyro sending unit will be pre or post turbo, you will have to decide on that. I prefer pre turbo, which means you have to drill a hole in the exhaust manifold,centered and about a inch back from the turbo mounting flange. If you go post turbo, then most install it in the elbow between the turbo and the exhaust pipe. The boost gauge fitting, usually goes in the intake manifold, left side of engine, front on manifold. There is a plug which can be removed, and the line fitting installed. For the trany, if you have a MAG-hytecK transmission pan, then there is a treaded port in the side were you can screew in the sender. If using the stock pan, then you would need to weld in a bung fitting, or you could use the service port on the transmission, and screew the sender in it.

 

For the trans temp sending unit, if you do not wish to weld or use an aftermarket pan then you can tap into one of three ports toward the top of the transmission. There will be three ports all in a row. Two facing forward and one facing toward the rear. I used the middle port and it works fine. This also prevents hacking into the lines and thus creating potential leak points. Not as accurate as in the pan, but definitely workable.

For the pyro, I would recommend pre turbo, and this will include the removal of the exhaust manifold to remove the metal shavings from the drilling process. If you are to choose the post turbo route, I understand it is possible to allow the metal shavings go through the exhaust without removing them. I would not suggest this, but ultimately it is up to you. Good luck in your installation.. LE

 

I just finished putting in my gauges on Sat. All in all pretty easy, but I did get alot of good info from [url]www.tstproducts.com/gauge_install.html. Take your time and you'll be happy with the outcome.
Jason

 

You should also put in a FP gage.

 

For the pryo, drill on the big round part of the thingie atached to the manifold! Nevermind the buzzing you hear when running, that means its working! For the boost, pull your boot back a bit and stick in the hose. Clamp down. If you dont get a reading, means your clamp is too tight, loosen it up and retest. There is a balance just have to find it! Tranny...this one is the most important...tap into the cooler on the radiator. If you hit coolant, just screw in the sending unit a little more. it will stop! Im on my 5th truck now and I will tell you how it all works out! ..........or you could do it the right way....

 

For best results, don't do anything MUDINFORD said!

 

orc,when i was gettin ready to do my gauges i was told if you drill with greas under the bit the shavings will stick to the bit.i had mine done and they toook the thing off to drill it.

 

Drilling the exhaust manifold is not a big deal, slect the proper size drill, and when you get about 1/2-3/4 the way through, apply grease to the tip of the drill bit. This will catch most of the shavings. Then when you go to tape the hole, apply grease to the tap, same theory. When that is done, you can take a flash light and a mechanics magnet (the kind you can carry in your shirt pocket, when you want to use it , it extends out like a antenna, has strong magnet on the end) reach down in the hole and get any shaving not caught by the grease. Works very well. 8)

 

Now humor an old man, someone tell me the down side. If a few drill shavings get in the exaust and into the turbo, what is the down side ??

 

its caled F.O.D. (foreign object damage)
messed up blades and stuff.

 

Ok now do you know anyone that has ever had a turbo torn up from drill shavings?

 

I have not heard of anyone having trouble with shavings. My guess is that most everyone realizes that they're working on a fairly high dollar piece of equipment and they take the extra precaution. I even heard of one shop removing the turbo and running the engine with just the manifold on when drilling it so the shavings went out onto the floor. : I doubt I'll go that extreme --most likely the grease on the bit and then a magnet to pick up any of the extras. My dad didn't have any issues this way when he installed his.

Now's a good time to ask ... where's the best location for the pyro tip? I think I've heard 3" from the turbo mount flange. Sound right?

Now all I need to do is wait until the goodies get here from Wildcat. .... patience.... Rod? are y'all testing my box on the sheep??? ;D

brandon.

 

Joe the recommended location for the probe is on the rear runner, close to the turbo, mine is less than an inch.

The reasons for the question about the shavings is that i think there is a lot of wasted labor installing them. Any carbon particles in the exhaust passes through the turbo and there should not be enough inertia from the weight of the shaving to hurt anything, it is cast iron. The impeller is some pretty tough steel and when starting for the first time the chips would be blown out the down pipe before the turbo would gain an significent speed of rotation.

By all means, do it the way you feel comfortable. The Detroit engines used to blow pieces of the fire ring through them, I used the turbo with marks from the ring pieces for may thousands of miles after a rebuild. Also replaced the bearings on a turbo on the road twice, they are not that dainty of a piece of equipment. Just like anything else, you take it apart and if the surfaces are good a couple of hours later you have a rebuilt turbo.

 

A friend of a friend put a egt gauge in his 99 about a year ago, and he just drilled and tapped the hole, started the truck and ran the shavings through the turbo. Been over a year, and he hasn't had any problems. That not to say that when I put mine in, I'm going to use the grease and magnet method anyway.